Juliet’s lips curl into a sneer. “You think you can protect her from me?” she spits, her voice dripping with contempt.
“I know I can,” I reply. “And I will.”
Then Fabian arrives, shouting at Juliet to back off.
Kayla’s face shows immense relief, and she runs to himwithout hesitation. Despite everything, one thing is certain. Fabian loves his daughter, and she adores him. That’s why she hates seeing him fight with her mother. In her own way, she’s protecting him.
I step back as a heated exchange erupts between Fabian and Juliet. Their voices rise and fall, sharp words cutting through the air like knives. In the midst of their argument, Juliet turns her venom on me. “This isn’t over, Savannah! Do you hear me?”
Fabian, his face a mask of frustration, knows better than to prolong this confrontation. Without another word, he heads to his car, holding Kayla firmly against his chest.
“Savannah…” Fabian’s voice trails off when he finally acknowledges me
“Fab.”
Fabian’s gaze sweeps over my face. I can’t even imagine what I look like right now—no foundation, no powder. I probably resemble Frankenstein’s monster fresh out of bed.
In the background, Juliet slams the door shut after hurling another round of slurs.
“You okay, Kayla?” I ask her, rubbing her arm.
She nods, sobbing. “I called Dad like you said.”
“Good job, sweetie,” I praise her. Then I urge Fabian, “Go, keep her safe.” It’s difficult to restrain myself from pulling Kayla into a hug and pouring out to Fabian all the reasons he should keep her away from her mother. But Kayla doesn’t need any more conflict right now. Besides, from the regret shadowing his face, I believe he understands.
“Do you need a ride?” Fabian’s concern for me is evident in his eyes.
“No. Go on!” I insist.
As Fabian helps Kayla into the car, I turn away, walking tothe main road. I pull out my phone and call for a cab, my thoughts already shifting to the hospital.
Upon arriving backat the hospital, it seems that none of the staff notices that I’ve been missing. As I step into the corridor to my room, I hear a voice—unusually agitated but unmistakably Huxley’s.
“What do you mean you don’t know where she is?”
“She’s probably left, sir,” a nurse answers him.
“But her things are here!” Huxley’s frustration radiates through the corridor.
Just then, I turn up, catching sight of his face. I’ve never seen anyone get so worried about me like that. Except my dad.
“There you are,” he breathes, striding toward me. “Where have you been?”
I manage a tired smile, feeling the weight of the past hours finally lift. “Had a little detour,” I say. “But I’m here now.”
Hux pulls me into a hug, a spontaneous gesture intended to shed his worries. Yet for me, it serves a deeper purpose. The warmth of his embrace soothes my weary body, and a flutter of something like longing stirs within me. How is it possible that I miss him already?
“Where were you?” he repeats, seeing through my upbeat tone. That characteristic vein on his neck bulges prominently.
Standing this close, I’m struck by how broad and tall he really is. Yet, it’s clear to me that it’s not merely his physical presence that has instilled such a sense of security in me.
“I just needed some fresh air, so I went for a walk. But I got a bit too far,” I explain, hoping to justify my disheveled appearance. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to alarm anyone.” I glance at the nurse, who wisely decides to leave us alone.
Hux hugs me again, though I can tell he’s still not entirely convinced. He’s asked twice, and he knows I’m not about to reveal the full truth. For now, it’s enough that I’m back.
Then, the flowers on the bed catch my attention.
His lips stretch into a broad grin as he presents them to me. “I know, these tulips and lilies are beautiful. But hold your blushing. These aren’t from me. They come with regards from Sam and Mark, my bosses.”